This is the lowest of the major peaks of the Sweetwater Range, on the California/Nevada boundary. With the uncertainty of surveying and remeasurement, this peak can still be considered a prospect for being the highest point of Lyon County, Nevada. The state boundary line crosses over the northeast slopes of Middle Sister at about roughly the same height as the summit of East Sister. I was unable to find any reliable marker to indicate the county high point on the state line, so I was unable to take measurements. Thorough county highpointers might do well to climb East Sister as well as navigating to the state line high point on Middle Sister. Both peaks are done easily together, with a high saddle between the two, adding only maybe 600 feet elevation gain to top East Sister.

Getting There

Free, and exact, directions can be found at the PETE'S THOUSAND PEAKS website clicking Northern Sierra Peaks Guide. Please read through the disclaimer and explanations, and then scroll down to this one, out of 85 other peaks, to choose from in the peaks directory.

Otherwise and simply, approach East Sister from the southern, signed, side road to Risue Creek, from NV 338/CA 182, roughly halfway between Wellington, NV, and Bridgeport, CA. One side, dirt road west of many, leads to a corral, and then a rough dirt track, past a cabin. Park back where the guide indicates, and hike a few miles, along the main dirt track, to a point where the peak is above you to the southeast. Leave this track and climb cross-country up to the top.

You may do best heading for the high saddle between East and Middle Sister, then follow the ridge left (north) to the summit of East Sister. Middle Sister is easily climbed from this high saddle, too. To get through the thick brush, mostly mountain mahogany, at the base of the south side of East Sister, head diagonally left to the southwest ridge through some burned out brush, and gain the ridge about 150-200 feet above the saddle. The ridge proper is mostly bare. Thrashing through the mountain mahogany is one of the most miserable peak activities, and can result in many scratches and cuts.

From the summit, to get back to the corral parking off Risue Road, head north along the main ridge for a few hundred feet. Straight down to the west is one of the nicest scree runs I've done in the State. This takes you back quickly to the dirt track that leads along the west side of the peaks.

Or, to climb directly from the parking at the corral, head straight up, cross-country, along the north-northeast ridge to the top.

Red Tape

No permits, passes, or fees. This is mostly managed by the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, with the surrounding area run by the BLM. There is some private land in the area.

When To Climb

The Sweetwater Range peaks can be climbed year-round. They are high enough to be O.K. during the heat of summer, and low snowfall may allow for mid-winter ascents. The rains and runoff can make the Desert Creek Road quite muddy, and the fords high. Sometimes, there may be enough snow for snowshoes or skis.

Camping

There is plenty of free, primitive camping in the area. On U.S. 395, I used the Topaz Lake Lodge RV park for overnights, but I think they close during the off-season (winter). Some reasonable lodging is available at the Topaz Lake Lodge.

The nearby Topaz Lake Nevada State Park offers highly inexpensive, fee, camping. Take the signed, mostly paved, side road east from U.S. 395, about a half mile north of the Topaz Lake Lodge.

More lodging is available in Minden/Gardnerville, and Carson City, NV, and Bridgeport, CA, as well.

Mountain Conditions

Contact the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest or the Nevada BLM for details. The nearest sizable town is Bridgeport, CA. There is a usually helpful USFS ranger station, about 2 miles south of Bridgeport, along U.S. 395. The Mono Lake Committee website live cam shows the weather at Mono Lake, about 40 miles to the south.

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